Differential coding can camouflage cases of dementia. Check coding practice, and audit coding to identify those codes that could be indicate a diagnosis of dementia. They will include:

• F110 Alzheimer’s Disease
• F111 Pick’s Disease (front temporal dementia)
• Eu01 Vascular dementia
• Eu02 Lewy Body Dementia
• Eu023 Dementia in Parkinson’s disease
• E00 Senile and presenile organic psychotic conditions, and for advanced dementia (not being referred for memory assessment)
• Eu01 ‘Mixed Dementia’

Please consider checking any patients with the following codes:

• 1B1A Memory loss symptom
• 1B1A0 Temporary loss of memory
• Eu057 Mild cognitive disorder

Where probable dementia is established, ensure that these cases

• are captured on the General Practice’s dementia register (QOF DEM1),
• and are subject to regular review (QOF DEM2).

Consider the information and support needs of these patients and their carers/families. What information or support could the general practice offer, or signpost them to?